Description
Inspect railroad track, rolling stock, and operational practices to ensure safe movement of passengers and freight; verify compliance with FRA, AAR, and company standards; document findings and initiate corrective actions.
- • Prepare and submit inspection reports for track, rolling stock, and operations.
- • Inspect railcars and intermodal units to verify freight is properly blocked, braced, and secured.
- • Record defects, handling issues, and noncompliance observed during inspections.
- • Advise loading, yard, and train crews on safe stowage of heavy or hazardous cargo.
- • Observe loading, switching, and train makeup to confirm procedures are followed.
- • Recommend corrective actions and enforce remedial procedures for rule violations.
- • Inspect loaded cars, tank cars, securement hardware, and handling devices for regulatory compliance and maintenance needs.
- • Notify crews of special handling or routing requirements for hazardous materials, oversize loads, or sensitive shipments.
- • Direct reloading, re-stowing, or additional bracing when securement is inadequate.
- • Verify temperatures and set points of refrigerated cars and containers to protect temperature-controlled cargo.
- • Review shipping papers, load plans, train consist, and clearance diagrams to determine loading limits and securement requirements.
- • Measure car and load heights and widths to ensure clearance for assigned routes, bridges, and tunnels.
- • Verify hazardous materials placards, markings, and documentation on railcars.
- • Perform or witness air brake tests and verify brake pipe pressures and securement before departure.
- • Inspect wheels, axles, couplers, draft gear, safety appliances, and handbrakes for wear and defects.
- • Inspect track, turnouts, crossings, and wayside equipment for unsafe conditions and compliance with standards.
- • Visually inspect arriving and departing cars for damage, leaks, and shifted loads.
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Related Pathways
Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
